Short answer: New York requires 25/50/10 liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries ($50,000/$100,000 for death), plus $10,000 for property damage. Every policy also needs $50,000 of no-fault personal injury protection and 25/50 uninsured motorist coverage, and the policy must come from an insurer licensed in New York.
Three layers, all mandatory
New York's requirement isn't a single number. According to the New York DMV and the Department of Financial Services (DFS), a registered vehicle must carry three coverages at once:
| Coverage | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
| Bodily injury liability, death | $50,000 per person / $100,000 per accident |
| Property damage liability | $10,000 per accident |
| No-fault (personal injury protection) | $50,000 per person |
| Uninsured motorist bodily injury | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident |
The higher death limits are unusual. Few states set a separate minimum for fatal injuries.
No-fault comes first
When you're hurt in a crash in New York, you don't start by claiming against the other driver. Your own no-fault coverage pays medical bills, most lost wages and certain other expenses up to $50,000, regardless of who caused the accident. You can step outside the no-fault system and sue for pain and suffering only if the injury meets New York's "serious injury" definition. Our guide to New York no-fault insurance covers deadlines and benefit caps.
Property damage isn't part of no-fault. If someone damages your car, you claim against their liability coverage or use your own collision coverage.
Mandatory UM vs. optional SUM
The required uninsured motorist (UM) coverage pays 25/50 for injuries caused by an uninsured driver or a hit-and-run. It doesn't help when the at-fault driver has insurance that's simply too small.
That's what supplementary uninsured/underinsured motorist (SUM) coverage is for. Under New York Insurance Law §3420(f) and DFS Regulation 35-D (11 NYCRR 60-2), insurers must make SUM available. For non-commercial policies first written on or after June 16, 2018, the insurer must provide SUM equal to your bodily injury liability limits unless the first named insured declines it or picks a lower amount in a signed written waiver. If you carry 100/300 liability, you'd normally have 100/300 SUM unless you signed it away.
SUM pays the difference between your SUM limit and what you collect from the at-fault driver's liability coverage. It's often one of the most valuable add-ons for New York drivers, because many cars on the road carry only 25/50.
Only New York insurance counts
New York doesn't accept out-of-state liability insurance for a vehicle registered in New York. The insurer must be licensed to write auto coverage in the state, and the insurance ID card must be a New York card. If you're moving from another state, arrange New York coverage before you register.
Don't cancel before surrendering plates
New York is strict about gaps. The DMV is notified electronically when a policy ends. If coverage lapses while the vehicle is registered, you can face civil penalties and suspension of your registration and license. If you're selling a car, storing it or moving out of state, surrender the plates to the DMV first, then cancel the insurance.
Why many New York drivers buy more
- $10,000 property damage is low. A collision with a late-model SUV or a multi-car fender bender in Manhattan traffic can exceed it.
- No-fault caps out. $50,000 can be used up by a serious injury. Optional additional PIP raises the limit.
- Lawsuits follow serious injuries. If you cause one, the injured person can sue you for amounts above your liability limits.
- Assets are at risk. Homeowners and higher earners usually need liability limits that qualify for an umbrella policy. See how much umbrella insurance do I need.
Common scenarios
A cyclist is hurt when you open your door into a bike lane. The cyclist may claim no-fault benefits through your policy, and if the injury is serious, sue you under your liability coverage.
An underinsured driver seriously injures you. Your mandatory UM coverage won't help because the driver had insurance. SUM, if you carry it, can pay the gap between their limits and yours.
You let your registration lapse while the car sits in storage. Turning in the plates avoids penalties. Simply canceling coverage doesn't.
Key terms
- Basic economic loss: the $50,000 of no-fault benefits that every policy includes.
- Serious injury threshold: the line you must cross to sue for pain and suffering in New York.
- SUM: optional coverage that raises uninsured protection and adds underinsured protection, up to your liability limits.
- Plate surrender: returning plates to the DMV, which ends the insurance requirement for that vehicle.
Bottom line
New York's minimums keep you legal but leave real gaps, especially the $10,000 property damage limit and the lack of underinsured coverage unless you carry SUM. Review your liability limits, confirm your SUM election and consider optional additional PIP. Compare state rules in our car insurance minimums by state table.
Contact Alishahi Insurance or call (877) 711-4545. See insurance in New York and auto insurance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum car insurance in New York?
25/50/10 liability ($50,000/$100,000 for death), $50,000 of no-fault personal injury protection and 25/50 uninsured motorist coverage.
What is SUM coverage in New York?
Supplementary uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. For most personal policies written since June 16, 2018, it must equal your bodily injury limits unless you decline or lower it in a signed waiver.
Can I use out-of-state insurance on a New York-registered car?
No. The policy must come from an insurer licensed in New York.
Is New York a no-fault state?
Yes, for injuries. Your own no-fault coverage pays basic economic loss regardless of fault.
What should I do before canceling my New York car insurance?
Surrender your plates to the DMV first to avoid penalties and suspension.
Alishahi Insurance · 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · (877) 711-4545 · CA License #4348151. General information only. This isn't legal, tax or financial advice or a coverage determination. Coverage depends on policy language and underwriting, and rules vary by state.